U.S. patent application number 15/675639 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-15 for game board assembly made of composite corn boards.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lane Segerstrom. Invention is credited to Lane Segerstrom.
Application Number | 20180043227 15/675639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61160647 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180043227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Segerstrom; Lane |
February 15, 2018 |
GAME BOARD ASSEMBLY MADE OF COMPOSITE CORN BOARDS
Abstract
A bag toss game platform easy to assemble and store is
disclosed. Traditional bag toss game platforms are two
pre-assembled boxes taking up to 48 inches by 24 inches by 15
inches in total and cannot be dissembled by players after use. But
the platforms described herein take (for two sets), in certain
embodiments, no more than 48 inches by 13 inches by 3.5 inches
(i.e., about 1/8 of the traditional volume) and can easily be
assembled for gameplay and disassembled after use. The platform may
include a top surface, at least two side supports, and at least two
cross bars connecting the at least two side supports. Because cross
lap joints between the side supports and cross bars, and groove
joints between the top surface and the side supports and cross bars
may be used, the platform is easily assembled for use and
disassembled for transportation and storage.
Inventors: |
Segerstrom; Lane;
(Stratford, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lane Segerstrom |
Stratford |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61160647 |
Appl. No.: |
15/675639 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62373904 |
Aug 11, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/0204 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 63/08 20130101; A63F 2250/60 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08; A63B 67/06 20060101 A63B067/06; A63F 9/02 20060101
A63F009/02 |
Claims
1. A structural assembly for use in a bag toss game, the assembly
comprising: at least two side supports having a lower end and an
upper end; a first cross bar connecting the at least two side
supports nearer the lower ends than the upper ends; a second cross
bar connecting the at least two side supports nearer the upper ends
than the lower ends, wherein the at least two side supports have
pre-cut slots for receiving the first and the second cross bars
such that the connections between the first and second cross bars
and the at least two side supports are at least partially achieved
using friction; and a top surface positioned above the at least two
side supports and the first and second cross bars.
2. The structural assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third
cross bar positioned between the first and the second cross bars
and connecting the side supports, wherein the at least two side
supports have pre-cut slots for receiving the third cross bar for a
press-fit connection.
3. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface
further comprises an opening formed therein for receiving a bag in
a bag toss gameplay and a slot pattern for affixing to the at least
two side supports and the first and the second cross bars.
4. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein a distance between
the lower end and the upper end of each of the at least two side
supports is less than or about the length of the top surface such
that the top surface aligns with the at least two side supports
when positioned thereon.
5. The structural assembly of claim 4, wherein the top surface is
press-fitted onto the at least two side supports and the first and
the second cross bars.
6. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two
side supports, the first and the second cross bars, and the top
surface are made of composite corn boards manufactured from a
mixture of corn byproducts and a binding material, wherein the
mixture is compressed to form boards of a desired thicknesses.
7. The structural assembly of claim 6, wherein the corn byproducts
are corn husks and the binding material is an epoxy resin.
8. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two
side supports further comprise an extended leg at each of the lower
and the upper ends.
9. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface
further comprises a left half piece and a right half piece that may
be assembled during use and disassembled during storage.
10. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two
side supports, the first and the second cross bars, and the top
surface may be disassembled for storage and transportation.
11. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein two sets of the at
least two side supports, the first and the second cross bars, and
the top surface are packaged into a box no greater than 48 inches
in length, 13 inches in width, and 3.5 inches in height before
assembly or during storage.
12. A bag toss game platform comprising: an inclined top surface
positioned above at least two side supports, each side support
having a lower end and an upper end; a first cross bar connecting
the at least two side supports; and a second cross bar connecting
the at least two side supports; and wherein the first cross bar and
the second cross bar are removably connected between the upper ends
and the lower ends of the at least two side supports.
13. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, wherein the inclined
top surface further comprises a slot pattern for coupling to the at
least two side supports and the first and the second cross bars,
and an opening formed therein for receiving a bag during a bag toss
gameplay.
14. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, further comprising a
third cross bar positioned between the first and the second cross
bars and removably connected to the at least two side supports.
15. The bag toss game platform of claim 14, wherein the inclined
top surface, the at least two side supports, and the first, the
second, and the third cross bar are made of composite corn boards
manufactured from a mixture of corn byproducts and a binding
material, wherein the mixture is compressed to form boards of
desired thicknesses.
16. The bag toss game platform of claim 15, wherein the byproducts
are corn husks and the binding material is an epoxy resin.
17. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, wherein two sets of the
at least two side supports, the first and the second cross bars,
and the top surface are packaged into a box no greater than 48
inches in length, 13 inches in width, and 3.5 inches in height
before assembly or during storage.
18. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, wherein the first and
the second cross bars are positioned between the at least two side
supports at an angle to one another.
19. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, wherein the first and
the second cross bars are positioned between the at least two side
supports in a diagonal relation.
20. The bag toss game platform of claim 12, wherein the first and
the second cross bars are positioned between the at least two side
supports such that the first and the second cross bars are
positioned at an angle to one another.
21. A method for producing a bag toss game platform, the method
comprising producing a composite board using a mixture of
byproducts of corn production and a binding material, the composite
board having a standard thickness; cutting, out of the composite
board, at least two side supports each having a lower end and an
upper end, wherein each of the side support includes a cut slot
near the lower end and a cut slot near the upper end, the cut slots
having a width configured to receive the standard thickness;
cutting, out of the composite board, a top surface having a left
half piece, a right half piece, and a hole for receiving a bag
during a bag toss gameplay; cutting, out of the composite board, a
plurality of cross bar components to be used as a first cross bar
and a second cross bar; and wherein the at least two side supports
are to be connected using the first and the second cross bar
pressed into the cut slots at the lower ends and the upper ends to
form a frame for supporting the top surface, and wherein the top
surface has a slot pattern for coupling to the frame by press
fit.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising packaging two sets
of the top surface, the at least two side supports, and the first
and the second cross bars into a package no greater than 48 inches
in length, 13 inches in width and 3.5 inches in height.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising cutting an
additional cut slot between the lower end and the upper end in each
of the at least two side supports; and wherein a third cross bar of
the plurality of the cross bar components connects the at least two
side slots at the additional cut slots for reinforcing the top
surface during gameplay.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a United States Non-Provisional Patent
Application which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/373,904 filed Aug. 11, 2016,
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to a structural assembly for use in
bag toss games.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bag toss games are popular lawn games enjoyed on weekends
and while tailgating before a big game, such as a high school,
college, or professional sports game. Bag toss games are also known
as dummy boards, dadhole, doghouse, Baggo, Bags, or cornhole.
Players take turns throwing bags of bean (or corn, sand, or other
substances) at a raised and inclined board having a hole in the far
end. Each board is usually two feet by four feet, with a six-inch
hole centered nine inches from the top. The inclined angle is often
defined having the top edge twelve inches from the ground and the
bottom edge three to four inches from the ground. A regular court
places two boards twenty seven feet apart (measured at the bottom
edges). Common gameplay includes scoring one point for landing a
bag on the board and three points for throwing a bag into the
six-inch hole.
[0004] Each board often has a smooth top surface such that the
players may anticipate the sliding movement of the bags once landed
on the top surface. This provides greater forgiveness to the
vertical landing point such that a bag may land at a location lower
than the hole and continue to slide into the hole for scoring
points or position your bag as desired. Such gameplay, however,
also requires the top surface to be relatively rigid to avoid
substantial elastic bending that changes the inclination angle or
causes rebound to the bag. This structural requirement results in
many rigid but heavy bag toss games boards in the market. For
example, to ensure rigidity, a set of two platforms often weigh
about 15 kg or more and are made as a wooden box that is cumbersome
to carry and to store.
SUMMARY
[0005] This disclosure describes a structural assembly for use in
bag toss games. The structural assembly serves as the toss
platforms in the games and enables players to conveniently store
and transport the game set. The structural assembly may be sold as
pre-assembled or as a kit for later assembly by user. In some
embodiments, the structural assembly uses composite corn boards to
improve quality and affordability.
[0006] In a first general aspect, a structural assembly for use in
bag toss games includes at least two side supports each having a
lower end and an upper end. A first cross bar connects the side
supports near the lower ends. A second cross bar connects the side
supports near the upper ends. The side supports, in one embodiment,
have pre-cut slots for receiving the first and the second cross
bars such that the connections between the first and second cross
bars and the side supports are achieved using friction. A top
surface is affixed onto or adjacent the side supports and the first
and second cross bars.
[0007] In other embodiments, at least two cross bars are provided
that connect between two or more supports, such as side supports,
and the at least two cross bars may be positioned parallel to each
other, at an angle to one another, or in a diagonal relation to one
another.
[0008] In some embodiments, the structural assembly further
includes a third cross bar positioned between or near the first and
the second cross bars and connecting the side supports (or at least
two side supports). The side supports may include pre-cut slots for
receiving the third cross bar for a press-fit connection.
[0009] In some other embodiments, the top surface further includes
a hole for receiving a bag in a bag toss games gameplay and a slot
pattern for affixing to the side supports and the first and the
second cross bars.
[0010] In yet some other embodiments, a distance between the lower
end and the upper end of each of the side supports equals to a
length of the top surface such that the top surface aligns with the
side supports when placed thereon. The top surface can be
press-fitted onto the side supports and the first and the second
cross bars.
[0011] In some embodiments, the side supports, the first and the
second cross bars and the top surface are made of composite corn
boards manufactured from a mixture of corn byproducts and a binding
material. For example, the mixture is compressed to form a board of
a standard thickness. The byproducts are corn husks and the binding
material is an epoxy resin.
[0012] In some other embodiments, the side supports further
includes an extended leg at each of the lower and the upper
ends.
[0013] In yet some other embodiments, the top surface further
includes a left half piece and a right half piece that are
assembled during use and disassembled during storage.
[0014] In some embodiments, the side supports, the first and the
second cross bars, and the top surface are disassembled for storage
and transportation.
[0015] In some other embodiments, two sets of the side supports,
the first and the second cross bars, and the top surface are
packaged into a box no greater than 48 inches in length, 13 inches
in width, and 3.5 inches in height before assembly or during
storage.
[0016] In a second general aspect, a bag toss games game platform
includes an inclined top surface resting on a pair of side
supports, each side support having a lower end and an upper end. A
first cross bar connects the side supports at the lower ends. A
second cross bar connects the side supports at the upper ends.
[0017] In some embodiments, the inclined top surface further
includes a slot pattern for coupling to the side supports and the
first and the second cross bars, and a hole for receiving a bag
during a bag toss games gameplay.
[0018] In some other embodiments, a third cross bar is positioned
amid the first and the second cross bars and connected to the side
supports.
[0019] In yet some other embodiments, the top surface, the side
supports, and the first, the second, and the third cross bars are
made of composite corn boards manufactured from a mixture of corn
byproducts and a binding material. For example, the mixture is
compressed to form a board of a standard thickness. The byproducts
may include corn husks and the binding material may be an epoxy
resin.
[0020] In some embodiments, two sets of the side supports, the
first and the second cross bars, and the top surface are packaged
into a box no greater than 48 inches in length, 13 inches in width,
and 3.5 inches in height before assembly or during storage.
[0021] In a third general aspect, a method for producing a bag toss
games game platform includes first producing a composite board
using a mixture of byproducts of corn production and a binding
material. The composite board has a standard thickness. A pair of
side supports is cut out of the composite board. Each side support
has a lower end and an upper end. Each of the side support includes
a cut slot near the lower end and a cut slot near the upper end.
The cut slots have a width of the standard thickness. A top surface
having a left half piece and a right half piece is cut out of the
composite board. A hole for receiving a bag is further cut from the
top surface for a bag toss games gameplay. A number of cross bar
components is cut out from the composite board to be used as a
first cross bar and a second cross bar. The side supports are to be
connected using the first and the second cross bars are pressed
into the cut slots at the lower ends and the upper ends to form a
rectangular frame for supporting the top surface. The top surface
has a slot pattern for coupling to the rectangular frame by press
fit.
[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes packaging
two sets of the top surface, the side supports, and the first and
the second cross bars into a package no greater than 48 inches in
length, 13 inches in width and 3.5 inches in height.
[0023] In some other embodiments, the method further includes
cutting an additional cut slot amid the lower end and the upper end
in each of the side supports; and wherein a third cross bar of the
plurality of the cross bar components is to connect the side slots
at the additional cut slots for reinforcing the top surface during
gameplay.
[0024] Detailed disclosure and examples are provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structural assembly for
use in bag toss games;
[0026] FIG. 2A is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the top
surface of the structural assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the
top surface of the structural assembly shown in FIG. 1
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the side supports and
cross-bars shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of the side supports and cross-bars
shown in FIG. 3;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of stacking two sets of side
supports onto one another in preparation of packaging or
storage;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of stacking two sets of
structural assemblies for packaging or storage; and
[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for making the
structural assembly for use in bag toss games according to FIG.
1.
[0033] Like elements are labeled using like numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] This disclosure presents a set of easy-to-assemble-and-store
platforms for use in bag toss games. Traditional bag toss games
game platforms are two pre-assembled boxes taking up to 48 inches
by 24 inches by 15 inches in total and cannot be dissembled by
players after use. The cumbersome volume discourages many tailgate
or camping trips when luggage spaces were insufficient for the
bulky boxes. The platforms described herein, in certain
embodiments, take (for two sets) no more than 48 inches by 13
inches by 3.5 inches (i.e., about 1/8 of the traditional volume)
and can easily be assembled for gameplay and disassembled after use
and provided in a convenient carrier or bag for ease of transport.
Other sizes and configurations are also covered by this
disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structural assembly 100
for use as the platforms in bag toss games. The structural assembly
100 includes a top surface 110, a pair of side supports 120, and a
number of cross bars 130. The top surface 110 is inclined to
receive bags thrown by players during gameplay. The inclined angle
is determined by the geometry of the side supports 120. Different
embodiments of the top surface 110 are illustrated in FIGS. 2A and
2B.
[0036] FIG. 2A is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the top
surface 110. The top surface 110 further includes a first half
piece 110a and a second half piece 110b. The first and the second
half pieces 110a and 110b are assembled during use and disassembled
during storage. For a dado joint or a groove joint, a slot pattern
150 is made in the top surface 110 for coupling to the side
supports 120 and the cross bars 130. For example, the slot pattern
150 has a width of the thickness of the side supports 120 and the
cross bars 130. When assembled, the first half piece 110a and the
second half piece 110b will be press-fitted to the side supports
120 and the cross bars 130 at the slot pattern 150. Other joints,
not expressly shown herein, may also be used. Further, although two
pieces are illustrated in FIG. 2A, other embodiments may include a
different number of pieces.
[0037] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the
top surface 110, which is a single piece. In this embodiment, the
top surface 110 also includes a slot pattern 150 for affixing to
the side supports 120 and the cross bars 130. This embodiment
allows the overall packaging to be of a thinner but wider
configuration than the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2A.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, they respectively are a
perspective view and a side view of the side supports 120 and
cross-bars 130 shown in FIG. 1. Each side support 120 has a lower
end 122 and an upper end 124. Each side support further includes
various slots such as, in the one embodiment shown, a first slot
152 at the lower end 122 and a second slot 154 at the upper end
124. The first slot 152 is created for a cross lap joint with a
first slot 151 in a first cross bar 134 that connects the side
supports 120 at the lower ends 122 at a distance specified by the
slot pattern 150 of the top surface 110. Similarly, the second slot
154 is created for a cross lap joint with a second slot 153 in a
second cross bar 130 that connects the side supports 120 at the
upper ends 124. In some instances, the side supports 120 further
includes an extended leg 142 at the lower end 122 and an extended
leg 144 at the upper end 124. The extended legs 142 and 144 provide
a ground clearance for better positioning the structural assembly
100 on lawn or beach surfaces. In other embodiments, the slots may
be configured only on certain members, and may be oriented or
shaped with other configurations.
[0039] The slots 151 and 152, in the embodiment shown, have a total
depth less than the width of the first cross bar 134 such that the
cross lap of the first cross bar 134 protrudes slightly over the
inclined side of the side supports 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Similarly, the slots 153 and 154 may have a total depth less than
the width of the second cross bar 130. When the top surface 110 is
press-fitted onto the frame formed from the side supports 120 and
the first and the second cross bars 134 and 130, the first and the
second cross bars 134 and 130 frictionally engage with slot pattern
150 at a greater depth than the depth engaged by the side supports
120. A distance between the lower end 122 and the upper end 124 of
each of the side supports 120 equals to a length of the top surface
110 such that the top surface 110 aligns with the side supports
when placed thereon.
[0040] In some embodiments, each side support 120 further includes
a slot 156 positioned in about middle position between the slots
152 and 154. The slot 156 forms a cross lap joint with a third slot
155 of a third cross bar 132 to reinforce the top surface 110 as
optional back support. Unlike the slot pairs 151 and 152, and 153
and 154, the slot pair 155 and 156 has a total depth greater than
the width of the third cross bar 132 such that the cross bar 132 is
below the top surface 110 and does not interfere with the slot
pattern 150 to form the groove joint with the side supports 120 and
the first and the second cross bars 134 and 130. In other
embodiments, the slot depth may be less than, greater than, or
equal to the width of the associated cross bar.
[0041] In some embodiments, the side supports 120, the first and
the second cross bars 134 and 130, and the top surface 110 are made
of composite corn boards manufactured from a mixture of corn
byproducts and a binding material. The mixture is compressed to
form a board of a standard or desired thickness that is the same as
the width of the slot pattern 150 and the slots 151-156. In some
instances, the byproducts include corn husks and the binding
material is an epoxy resin.
[0042] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 5 is a perspective view
of stacking two sets of side supports 120 in preparation of
packaging or storage; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of stacking
two sets of structural assemblies 100 for packaging or storage. A
bag toss games gameplay often includes two teams competing for
scores so two sets of the structural assemblies 100 are often
packaged together. However, a single set may also be individually
packaged or sold standalone. For example, when only one set is
packaged, the illustration in FIG. 5 may include one layer of the
side supports instead of two. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when
packaged, the two sets of the side supports 120, the cross bars
130, 132, and 134, and the top surface pieces 110a and 110b are
packaged into a box no greater than 48 inches in length 166, 13
inches in width 164, and 3.5 inches in height 162. Such packaging
configuration substantially reduces the space requirement for
storing or transporting two sets of the bag toss games game
platforms needed for gameplay.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 illustrating a method for making
the structural assembly 100 for use in bag toss games according to
FIG. 1. At block 710, a composite board is produced from a mixture
of byproduct of corn production and a binding material. In some
instances, the byproduct includes corn husks and the binding
material is an epoxy resin. The mixture is subject to a planar
pressure that may either be constant or in variance for reducing
gases trapped therein. The mixture is formed at a standard
thickness after fully cured.
[0044] At 720, a pair of side supports is cut out from the cured
composite board. Each of the side supports forms a trapezoidal
shape in general and includes a lower end and an upper end. Two or
three cross lap joint slots are further cut on the inclined side
between the lower end and the upper end. In some embodiments, the
side supports further includes extended legs near the lower end and
upper end for raising the structural assembly above the ground.
[0045] At 730, a top surface is cut out from the composite board.
In a preferred embodiment, the top surface is further separated
into two left-and-right half pieces for packaging advantages.
However, it is optional for the top surface to be one whole piece
or two half-pieces. A hole is cut in the top surface as the hole
for receiving corn, bean, or other filled bags or projectiles
during gameplay. In the backside of the top surface, a slot pattern
is cut for providing a groove joint for later press-fitting with
other components.
[0046] At 740, a number of cross bar components are cut out. These
cross bar components may be identical in shape and interchangeable
during assembly. In some embodiments, each structural assembly
includes at least two cross bar components. A first cross bar
component connects the side supports near the lower ends and a
second cross bar component connects the side support near the upper
ends. The first cross bar component includes corresponding cut
slots for engaging with the slots in the side supports to form
cross laps. Similarly, a second cross bar component includes
corresponding cut slots for engaging with the slots in the side
supports to form cross laps. In some embodiments, a third cross bar
component may connect the side supports in a similar manner in the
middle between the first and the second cross bar components for
additional support for the top surface. The top surface is
press-fitted to the side supports and the first and the second
cross bar components at its slot pattern, which may vary depending
on how the cross bars are positioned, for a groove joint.
[0047] At 750, the side supports, the top surface (two
half-pieces), and the cross bar components are packaged into a box
no greater than 48 inches in length, 13 inches in width, and 3.5
inches in height before assembly or during storage. Although a pair
of side supports has been mentioned herein, it should be understood
that in other embodiments, two or more side supports may be used
instead. Such side supports and/or cross bar components may be
parallel or angled with respect to one another.
[0048] Other implementations are possible. For example, the
structural assembly may be pre-assembled and sold in a final
assembled form. Adhesive or fasteners may further be used to
prevent further disassembly, or to couple or connect
components.
* * * * *